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Testimonials of Community Support

“As the City recruits new industries, businesses and citizens to Pittsburg, a vibrant downtown is a valuable component to our success...The renovation of the Colonial Fox Theater and the cultural experiences it will provide are important pieces of a successful and a revitalized proud downtown.” – Martha Beezley, Mayor, City of Pittsburg

“I have seen first-hand the positive impact the preservation of a historic theater can have on a downtown business district. The completion of the Colonial Fox Theater renovation can be the springboard that launches downtown into a lively cultural arts and entertainment center that would invigorate an urban downtown environment providing diverse entertainment and cultural opportunities.” – Duane Dreiling, Executive Director, Mt. Carmel Foundation

“The renovated Colonial Fox Theatre is going to be an important addition to the social and cultural experience of Pittsburg State University students. It will offer the kind of art and entertainment that will draw students not only to our university, but to the heart of our community. The theatre will unify the arts in our community and strengthen our identity as a rich cultural center in the region. I can see this leading to an even stronger reciprocal relationship between the university and community arts.”
– Daniel Warlop, Graduate Student, PSU Music Department

“This project is vitally important to the heart of our city and community. No matter what our age, this will have an impact in terms of quality of life.” – Ken Bateman, Retired Director, Pittsburg State Alumni Relations

“The Colonial Fox Theatre positions Pittsburg’s downtown area to become a vibrant shopping center and a premier cultural destination for Crawford County and all of Southeast Kansas.” – Harvey Dean, CEO Pitsco, Inc.

“At St. Mary’s Colgan, we have built our theatre, music, and visual arts programs and can deliver solid instruction; what we lack are experiences for our students to meet “outside” professionals in the field and see “real-world” fine arts applications, and opportunities to take their talents beyond the school day. Strengthening local performing arts while nurturing the growth and education of our students—this is the real benefit of St. Mary’s Colgan and the Colonial Fox working together.”
– Jason Marietta, President, St. Mary’s Colgan Fine Arts Committee

“The restoration of the Colonial Fox Theatre will be a gathering place for entertainment, cultural activities and education within the center of the downtown district, bringing new life to the area. The economic impact of a restored Colonial Fox Theatre will be measured not only in dollars and cents, but also in the re-birth of this historic district.” – Shirley Wilbert, Downtown Business Owner, Rosa Bella

“The Southeast Kansas Education Service Center (Greenbush) is excited to collaborate with the Colonial Fox Theatre in designing learning experiences for children and young adults. Building on existing resources available through Greenbush such as video production, computer animation, and a digital theatre will help to expose students to fine arts instruction typically found in urban settings.” – Mike Bodensteiner, Executive Director, Southeast Kansas Educational Service Center - Greenbush

For more of the story...

Interim Programming Vision

Interim Economic Impact

Restoration Vision

Why is it needed?

Potential Economic Impact

Programming Vision

Testimonials of Community Support

An Investment in the Future: Foundation Accomplishments

Letter From our campaign co-chairs; Dr. Gina and Mr. Brian Pinamonti